Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Caves Reposed in the Near (St. Anthony’s) Caves — September 28 / October 11 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, September 28 according to the Julian Calendar (October 11 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Caves Reposed in the Near (St. Anthony’s) Caves.

The Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Caves who repose in the Near Caves (those of Saint Anthony) was celebrated in earlier times (from 1670) on the Saturday after the leave-taking of the Exaltation of the Cross, that is, after September 21. In 1886, in the time of Platon, Metropolitan of Kiev, it was moved to September 28, to correspond with August 28, the common day of remembrance of the fathers who repose in the Far Caves.

In all, the incorrupt remains of seventy-three holy fathers rest in the Near (Anthony’s) Caves, nine of them in a closed cell. In addition, thirty myrrh-streaming skulls are preserved here. In the canons to the Kiev Caves fathers of the Near Caves, in the most ancient manuscripts, and in inscriptions discovered in the cave itself, the names of other saints are also preserved. It appears that more incorrupt relics once reposed here.

On the Second Sunday of Great Lent, the fathers of the Near and Far Caves of the Kiev Caves are commemorated together.